It’s Black History Month at VIU, which includes art, music, poetry, author talks and much more. This month our experts are also putting the reconciliation process under the microscope, protecting salmon from tire wear toxicants, taking your burning questions about love and romance just in time for Valentine’s Day, and examining the impact of climate change conferences.
Featured experts
Trust and reconciliation
Dr. Michael MacKenzie, Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership, and VIU student Nikki Hearns lead a presentation on Trust and Distrust in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Wednesday, February 4. Their research explores how trust is built, challenged and sustained within Canada’s reconciliation process. The presentation is part of VIU’s Research Seminar Series, which brings together faculty experts and student researchers to share accessible, community-relevant research. It’s free to attend in Building 356, Room 109 at VIU’s Nanaimo campus. Listen to All Points West interview Nikki about the research.
The talk is part of VIU's Research Seminar Series, which runs every Wednesday until March 18. Upcoming talks include:
- investigating where and how tire toxicants end up in urban waters;
- how climate change is affecting seafood safety and
- mountain bike trail management across BC.
Keeping the romance alive
What do many couples lose sight of that is very important to maintaining a healthy relationship? What are the most effective ways to keep romance alive in a long-term relationship? VIU Psychology Professor Dr. Cameron Gordon studies the intersection of positive psychology and romantic relationships, and just in time for Valentine's Day, he's ready to take your questions.
Saving the salmon
A chemical found on car tires is entering waterways on Vancouver Island and beyond, with deadly effect for salmon populations. Researchers at VIU, in collaboration with the BC Conservation Foundation, are studying the issue. After analyzing more than 7,000 urban water samples on Vancouver Island over the past three years, they have created the world’s largest dataset on runoff of the compound, known as 6PPD-quinone, into Island waterways.
Next steps are generating urban stream “report cards” to share with community partners and identifying high-priority stormwater entry points into local waterways to guide remediation efforts. Media are invited to hear the latest on the project at the third annual Mitigating Tire Wear Toxins to Protect Salmon conference February 18 and 19 at the Coast Bastion Hotel. Email Erik.Krogh@viu.ca for a media pass.
The project is funded with support from the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
VIU News
VIU Professor co-edits book on global climate talks
What has three decades of United Nations climate change conferences accomplished? VIU Political Studies Professor Dr. Lauren Touchant has co-edited a book that explores this topic. Released alongside COP 30 in Belém, Brazil, 30 Climate COPs Later features insights from Canadian diplomats, scientists, NGO leaders, journalists and policymakers, examining key successes, failures and turning points in global climate negotiations and the role of civil society in advancing climate action.
VIU launches in-community delivery model for teacher education
VIU is helping to address teacher shortages in British Columbia, particularly in rural and remote communities, with the launch of a new education delivery model.
The Dispersed Teacher Education Program is a three-year, hybrid Bachelor of Education degree. It was developed to provide an option for people who are working in a K-12 school and want to maintain their employment while pursuing their Bachelor of Education degree, or those who live long distances from the nearest university offering a teacher education program, who can’t relocate full-time for school.
Happening at VIU
Black History Month at VIU
From an art exhibit, to an open mic, author talks and a book club, there is a lot happening for Black History Month at VIU.
View the full schedule of events
My Black History is Poetry, Is Jazz tour
Growing up on the Prairies and in Southwestern Ontario, poet and VIU Professor Dr. Sonnet L’Abbé learned much about their Black heritage through music and literature.
“In British Columbia, 1.2% of the population is Black Canadians,” says L’Abbé. “In some of the places I grew up, there were even fewer Black people than that. When I looked at my neighborhood or school, and couldn’t find people like me outside my family, music and books gave me the community I needed to grow my sense of self and belonging.”
In this 90-minute show, Sonnet shares some of the Afro-diasporic music and poetry that helped shape them into the artist they are today. Nick Peck will play jazz piano and poet/vocalist L'Abbé performs.
L’Abbé and Peck are touring the show through February at various local venues, starting the tour in Nanaimo where L’Abbé lives and teaches, then hitting Vancouver and Victoria.
Schedule:
- • February 6, Nanaimo Art Gallery, 7 pm. $10. Get tickets.
- • February 9, Rennie Hall, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, 5 pm. Free.
- • February 10, Phillip T. Young Recital Hall, University of Victoria, 7:30 pm. Free.
- • February 20, Notional Space (1523 E Pender Street, Vancouver), 8 pm. By donation.
What community means in housing co-ops
As part of VIU’s 2026 Spring Colloquium Series, Media Studies and Sociology Professor Debra Pentecost will present Visual Expressions of Community, Connections and Home on Friday, February 13 at the Malaspina Theatre.
Developed with residents of Creekview Housing Co-operative in response to a proposed redevelopment, the project uses photography and firsthand storytelling to show why housing co-ops matter and what home and community mean to those who live there. The talk also reflects on the history of False Creek South and its roots in livability and non-profit housing.
“I hope the audience is energized regarding the ongoing need for serious city planning that prioritizes housing affordability,” Pentecost says.
The free public event runs from 10 to 11:30 am.
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